The Right Medicine: Improving Care in Care Homes

Report

We believe it is time to
change the way medicines are used in care homes.
Too many care home residents are taking medicines which are
doing them more harm than good.

At a time when every pound of NHS resource needs to be
scrutinised, we believe that a far more efficient system would
have one pharmacist, as part of a multidisciplinary team,
responsible for the whole system of medicines and their use
within a care home.
We believe, and evidence shows, that this improves care,
reduces NHS medicines waste and reduces the serious harm
that can be caused by inappropriate use of medicines.

We have talked with the
families of care home residents,
care home providers, local
authorities, care professionals
and expert pharmacists as
well as reviewing the available
evidence to produce this report
which describes what needs to
be done to address the issues of
medicines use in care homes.